Dale
We’re in a different wing of the hospital now, moved from labor and delivery over to something called the mommy and baby wing. We have a little room that overlooked some flower beds, a little bed that attaches to the side of Sadie’s bed for the baby, and a couple of fold-out chairs for Carter and me.
Sadie’s dozing, the baby sleeping beside her contently. Her hand is curled over the baby like she can’t bear to lose contact with him even though he’s only inches away. Carter’s stretched out in one of the fold-out chairs, his feet dangling over the end. The lights are low and the television off. The only noise is the whir of the heating unit and the soft rise and fall of Sadie’s breathing.
Everything is still, then I hear Carter move. “So,” he starts.
“You heard what Sadie said?” I ask him.
Carter nods but he doesn’t look convinced. “Sadie was emotional. It’s been a difficult day. Traumatic. And I’ve read up about the birthing process. Women’s hormones are all over the place.”
I shake my head. “Sadie always knows what she wants. She didn’t deal well with you moving out, Carter. She wanted me to tell you to come back. She told me so many times but I know you. I know that nothing I said would have made you change your mind. You need to come to decisions yourself in your own time. I get that. But now, if you don’t listen to Sadie…if you don’t believe that what she’s saying is exactly how she feels, then we’re gonna fall out brother.”
Carter takes a deep breath but he’s silent for a while. “What about mom and pop?”
I shrug. “They’re unhappy about how things are but when they see that gorgeous baby and they witness how well we work together, I’m sure they will come around. And if they don’t, you living across town in that shitty apartment isn’t going to make any difference.”
“And what about you, brother? This isn’t some random piece of skirt in Austin, this is your wife. Are you really telling me that you’re prepared to share her for life because that’s what we’re talking about here, you know? I may not be able to make official vows to Sadie like you did, but I don’t plan on going anywhere, Dale.”
I grin at him. “Welcome to the family, Carter.”
We stare at each other across the darkened room and my heart swells.
For every day that we’ve been apart, I’ve felt as though a piece of me was missing. Now I know that he’ll be sticking around, I can finally be a peace.
He grins back.
“What do you think Sadie’s going to think?” he asks.
“Why don’t you ask Sadie,” a quiet voice says.
We turned to see Sadie sitting up in bed, now dressed in her own yellow nightie and robe. Despite the emergency and labor, she’s glowing.
“Okay, Sadie, how do you feel about that?” Carter asks her.
“I’d say it’s about time. I wanted you home months ago Carter. Please come back. We’ll deal with whatever comes up later on. I just want my boys, ALL my boys, at home with me.”
Carter nods, stoical as always.
Sadie gives Carter a glowing smile. The baby starts to fuss a little and Sadie turns quickly to him, gathering him to her chest and soothing him. Carter gets up and eases onto the bed beside Sadie. He cups the baby’s fuzzy little head in his big hand.
“So, we got a name for this little peanut?” he asks.
“You ever change your mind about Ira?” Sadie teases.
“No, I’m going to veto that,” I laugh.
“Well, actually, I was thinking Jack,” Sadie says.
“After dad?” I say to her.
“Yeah, after your dad.” She’s smiling up at me.
“Jack,” Carter murmurs, stroking the baby’s head lightly. “Jack is a great name.”
“Get over here, Dale,” Sadie says to me.
I walk over and settle onto the other side of the bed. Sadie scoots around and makes room for each of us. We lay back, Sadie cuddled between us, Jack resting on her chest.
“This is how I want us to always be. Promise me.” Sadie says.
“I promise I’ll always do my best to make you happy and take care of you and the baby,” I say to her.
“I promise, Sadie. If I can make it like this for you always, I will.” My tough twin brother clears his throat and I wonder if he’s as tight there as I am.
When the nurse comes in a few hours later, we’re all still on the bed together. My family sleep and I keep watch over them. When Carter wakes, I know he’ll do the same.